Digital television with subscriber conference overlay

ABSTRACT

Digital television system overlays subscriber two-way communication during broadcast program delivery to create virtual audience community. Individual or group billing and advertisement is personalized per DTV receiver program viewing and/or conferencing activity. Subscriber receiver includes camera and other media I/O device for multi-way video conferencing. Participants may be added or removed dynamically during programming or conferencing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of the U.S. parent patent applicationcorresponding to patent application Ser. No. 10/444,261 filed originallyon May 22, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,221,387, which is a continuation ofthe U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/026,095 filed on Dec. 21, 2001,now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,590,602, which is a divisional of the U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/095,390 filed originally on Jun. 10,1998, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,842.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to digital television systems, particularly tosubscriber video conferencing with conventional programming.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Digital television (DTV) attributes have been standardized by industry(e.g., Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) and government (U.S.Federal Communications Commission (FCC)). Such DTV standards, whichprovide enhanced multimedia quality, as well as interactive dataservices, are hereby incorporated by reference. Generally, however, DTVspecifications contemplate program delivery to various receiver units,but not necessarily communication between receiver units. Accordingly,there may be need for conferencing between units receiving digitalsystem programming.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention resides in digital television system configured forsubscriber conference overlay during program delivery. Billing andadvertisement may be personalized according to actual program viewingand/or conferencing activity by DTV receiver. Receiver unit includesmedia input/output device for multi-user conferencing. Subscribers maybe added or removed during programming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is block diagram of integrated digital television program anddata delivery system for enabling present invention.

FIG. 2 is simplified diagram of novel overlay of subscriber conferencingover program and/or data delivery.

FIG. 3 is representative digital TV subscriber unit used according topresent invention.

FIG. 4 is sample digital TV display according to present invention.

FIG. 5 is flow chart of operational steps of present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is block diagram of integrated digital television program anddata delivery system, including one or more residential 12, mobile 14and business 16 subscriber, receiver and/or digital television (DTV)units coupled over broadcast 6 and/or network 10 channels respectivelyto program 2 and/or data 4 sources. Controller 8, which is one or moreprocessor, server, computer or other functionally equivalent controllerfunctionality coupled to broadcast 6 and/or network 10 channel, mayaffect network 10 and broadcast 6 functionality as described herein.

Program source 2 comprises one or more source for broadcasting one ormore video and/or data programs, or other functionally equivalentinformation signal stream, according to conventional digital and/oranalog program broadcasting, accessible or addressable publicly orprivately over various broadcast 6 equipment, medium, or otherfunctionally equivalent channels, such as cable, optical fiber,microwave, wireless radio frequency (RF) transmission, direct broadcastsatellite (DBS), multichannel multipoint distribution system (MMDS),local multipoint distribution service (LMDS), etc. For example, program2 may comprise live sports or entertainment performance event, such asprofessional football game, broadcast over restricted pay-per-viewtelevision channels.

Data source 2 comprises one or more source for providing two-way orinteractive access to one or more database, file, directory, or otherfunctionally equivalent data repository site or signal source,accessible or addressable publicly or privately over conventionalnetwork 10, such as local or wide area network, world-wide webInternet/intranet, or combination thereof, including, for example,network switch, router, bridge, gateway, hub, or other wired and/orwireless networking connection equipment for enabling ISDN, SONET, ATM,frame relay, gigabit Ethernet, TCP/IP, virtual private networks, xDSL,or other similar functionality. Additionally, data 2 may comprise text,graphics, video, or other digital or media information, such as currentnews update, photographic images, video or audio clips, sportsstatistics or analysis, stock quotes or financial data, weather forecastreport, research data, commercial transaction details, product pricing,etc.

In accordance with important aspect of present invention, digitaltelevision system includes multiple receivers coupled selectively orprogrammably to program 2 and/or data 4 source over broadcast 6 and/ornetwork 10 communications infrastructure, wherein conferencing orcommunication among DTV subscribers 18 occurs during program and/or datadelivery. Consequently, controller 8 may send or transmit service billindication to participating DTV units per actual program view orconference usage. As used herein, term “conference” or “conferencing” isinterpreted broadly and understood to mean any communication betweenmultiple parties.

Additionally, controller may facilitate electronic narrowcast deliveryof personalized or customized commercial and/or non-commercial messageto select DTV units. Controller 8 and/or subscribers 18 may employ oneor more intelligent agents or functionally equivalent softwareconstructs to search, obtain, or transact certain information oractivity across network 10. Controller 8 or subscriber unit 18 processormay selectively restrict or censor pre-defined program or data classesor titles, for example, to content screening criteria and/or procedureprovided for so-called V-chip specifications. Preferably, each DTVreceiver includes searchable and/or identifiable address and variousmultimedia input/output device capability for enabling videoconferencing. Moreover, DTV units may be added or removed duringconference period.

Accordingly, FIG. 2 shows overlay of subscriber conferencing 20 overprogram and/or data delivery to subscribers 18. In this networkedconfiguration, controller 8 effectively serves as broadband systemheadend processor for generating, forwarding, modifying, storing,accessing or otherwise controlling program/data delivery to subscribers18, while generating, forwarding, modifying, storing, accessing orotherwise controlling video conferencing signal transmission betweensubscribers 18.

Preferably, such program/data signal generated, transmitted or otherwiseprocessed to receiver units comply with established DTV standards, suchas ATSC or other generally accepted industry DTV information or signalformat and/or protocol interface, and video conferencing signalgenerated, transmitted or otherwise processed between receiver unitscomply with established video conferencing standards, such as H.323,H.324, H.320, T.120 or other generally accepted industry video/dataconferencing information or signal format and/or protocol interface,such currently published or online-accessible standards being herebyincorporated by reference.

FIG. 3 shows digital television subscriber unit 22, which may beimplemented as one or more DTV receivers 12, 14, or 16 of FIG. 1.Preferably, DTV unit 22, which functions in compliance with AdvancedTelevision Systems Committee (ATSC) standard for DTV equipment andsystem operation, substantially includes display panel or screen withvideo frame buffer 24, digital video-conferencing camera or image sensor26, microphone 28, keyboard and/or mouse 30, speaker(s) 32, processor orcontroller 34, digital memory or recordable video disk storage 36,peripheral card reader 38, remote control infrared interface 40, networkinterface or modem 42 (e.g., for coupling to network channel 10),digital compressed video encoder/decoder (i.e., according to MovingPictures Experts Group (MPEG) industry standards)), radio frequency(RF), broadband or wireless communications interface 46 (e.g., forcoupling to broadcast channel 6), and operating system, BIOS, browser,or other associated kernel software 48 for generally enabling system andcontroller 34 operation and network communications.

It is contemplated that ATSC-compliant DTV unit 22 may be embodied aswell in personal or network computer, workstation, set-top televisiondevice, or functionally equivalent processing and associated networkequipment, as configured to operate as specified herein according topresent invention.

Moreover, controllers 8, 34 execute one or more computer programs forperforming functions as described herein, preferably according toembedded or real-time software syntax, such as JAVA and/or Windows CE,which currently published or on-line specifications are herebyincorporated by reference.

When DTV unit 22 operates according to present invention, sample display24 screen output may be as represented in FIG. 4. In particular, display24 may integrate, combine, mix, or otherwise include program 52 and/ordata 54, effectively through video frame buffer, with video conferencingwindows from current (i.e., self) and/or other DTV participants 56coupled thereto, preferably during program/data delivery. For example,each screen element 52, 54, 56 may be shown as picture within oradjacent to another picture element. In this overlaid manner, each DTVunit in select set displays common program and/or data stream, as wellas conference video and audio signal output as generated from videocamera and microphone from other participant DTV units.

Preferably, such program and/or video signals are compressed and encodedaccording to industry standard such as MPEG format. Display 50 may alsoshow whiteboard-type screen commonly among participants 56 for jointlycommunicating text, graphics, or other observable or audible program ordata, such as for workgroup or class collaboration to review or discussdraft documents, faxes, or other forms or files.

FIG. 5 shows operational flow chart, including steps for systemconfiguration and subscription set-up 60, program and/or data delivery62, participant conference 64, and controller billing 66. Preferably,controller 8, serves as central processor to coordinate DTV unit set-up,user smart-card account authorization or identity authenticationprogram/data and/or conference scheduling, programming, viewing, outputformatting, conference access and communication, billing, advertising,and other associated activity, particularly for managing access toprogram 2, data 4, as well as DTV video conferencing signals 20. Toreduce latency, controller 8 may transmit static image instead of livevideo.

For example, controller 8 may authorize or cause certain DTV units to beadded or removed dynamically from one or more video conferencing activeset or selected logical group, as well as restrict select DTV unit(s)from viewing certain program and/or data. Moreover, controller 8monitors one or more actual program/data viewing and/or conferencingusage for appropriate billing. Furthermore, controller 8 may directpersonalized or targeted commercial, incentive, or advertising messagesto certain recognized demographic interest group, DTV subscribers orparticipant video conferencing parties.

Preferably, controller 8 directs such messages dynamically or adaptivelyaccording to current subscriber or participant information activity orneeds, as well as product availability, market pricing, or othercommercial attribute. Additionally, controller 8 may take correctiveaction or functional adjustment to redirect, restrict, control, orotherwise manage network, program/data, or other system resources, upondetecting actual or possible performance bottlenecks or other equipmentor connection fault causing undesirable impact on such informationdelivery.

In one embodiment of present invention, DTV system is configured forluxury-suite type or other effectively exclusive membership multi-userconferenced viewing of live sports event, such that professionalfootball, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, or other competitiveindividual, team, or tournament telecast is provided as program 2through broadcast channel 6, including preferably statistical orbackground data 4 about player, team, or other related game aspect. Inparticular, controller 8 provides proper access by authorized DTVsubscribers 18 to such sports program and/or data. Additionally,controller 8 coordinates or monitors video conferencing activityoccurring directly or indirectly between DTV units watching commonprogram/data stream.

Hence, for example, initially, during configuration subscription setupphase 60, system or headend controller 8 begins to identify systemconfiguration, network address, program order and account status of anysubscriber units coupled thereto over broadcast 6 and/or network 10channels. Commercial transaction may occur to define DTV receiver unituser subscriptions, particularly for authenticating, billing,scheduling, notifying, requesting or otherwise providing desired accessto any upcoming or current program 2 or database 4. As appropriate,controller 8 may conduct remote diagnostics over such channels tovarious units 12, 14, 16 to ensure proper functioning for signaldelivery.

Next, program and/or data delivery may commence according to controller8 programmable selection to enable digital transmission for electronicsignal delivery 62 of certain program 2 and/or data 4 for presentationin integrated display 50 of selected or addressed DTV subscriber units18. Then, thereafter, prior, or simultaneously, select participants 56are enabled for video conferencing 20, particularly by allowing suchparticipants to be monitored by activated video camera 26 and/ormicrophone 28, for transmission of monitored static image or live motionvideo compressed encoded digital signal for presentation in displayscreen 50. Upon completion of program/data delivery and conferencingactivity, controller 8 may send proper billing indications toparticipant DTV units. Controller 8 may appropriately add or deletesubscriber 18 in active database.

Therefore, in this combined DTV program/data viewing and select viewerconferencing scheme, important objective of emulating luxury-suite orotherwise more collaborative, intimate or personal conditions amongassociated audience members located at different locations is achievedeffectively.

Optionally, while receiving program/data, conferenced subscriber mayalso send or receive electronic text message to other subscribers orother mail account addressable through network 10, or run variousapplication programs locally or in distributed client-server networkedmanner, preferably in common with other conferenced DTV units, such asfor multi-user simulation or gaming application.

To improve system program/data broadcast or video conferencingperformance, for example, when restricted effectively by channelbandwidth or traffic congestion, controllers 8, 34 may reduce oreliminate actual transmission of full content video signal, andpreferably transmit information subset, such as static image, textand/or voice.

Foregoing described embodiments of invention are provided asillustration and description. It is not intended to limit invention toprecise form described. Other variations and embodiments are possible inlight of above teaching, and it is thus intended that scope of inventionnot be limited by detailed description, but rather by claims as follow.

1. Virtual community networking for wired and wireless participants in amulti-user network gaming simulation application overlaid withelectronically compressed and encoded digital TV data stream, comprisingprocess steps: joining by a mobile wireless participant and aresidential wired participant in a local or network multi-usersimulation application overlaid with electronically compressed andencoded digital TV data stream; and conferencing via narrowcast text oraudio messaging between joined participants; wherein the simulationcomprises a network gaming simulation application wherein the mobilewireless participant and the residential wired participant participatein the network gaming simulation application during such conferencing,such network gaming simulation application comprising a luxury-suiteemulation accessible exclusively by the conferencing participants asvirtual audience for enabling intimate exclusive viewing in common of alive sports event or competitive telecast by such conferencingparticipants accessing virtually the luxury-suite emulation during suchnetwork gaming simulation application and conferencing; wherein acentral controller, which is coupled via the network to the mobilewireless participant and the residential wired participant, is enabledautomatically to generate one or more billing indication that ispersonalized for such mobile wireless participant or residential wiredparticipant for actual usage according to a programmable select set ofparticipants programmed for a common broadband service overlay, but notfor selectively restricted participants.
 2. Networking process of claim1 wherein: the application comprises a digital television broadcastcomprising an incentive targeted at a demographic interest of at leastone joined participant.
 3. Interactive method for providing virtualcommunity network service using multi-user network gaming simulationapplication overlaid with electronically compressed and encoded digitalTV data stream, comprising steps: providing access to join a local ornetwork multi-user simulation application overlaid with electronicallycompressed and encoded digital TV data stream by a mobile wirelessparticipant and a residential wired participant; and transacting with atleast one participant by providing an advertisement in the application,such advertisement being targeted at a demographic interest of at leastone participant; wherein the simulation comprises a network gamingsimulation application wherein the mobile wireless participant and theresidential wired participant participate in the network gamingsimulation application during such transacting, such network gamingsimulation application comprising a luxury-suite emulation accessibleexclusively by the transacting participants as virtual audience forenabling intimate exclusive viewing in common of a live sports event orcompetitive telecast by such transacting participants accessingvirtually the luxury-suite emulation during such network gamingsimulation application and transacting; wherein a central controller,which is coupled via the network to the mobile wireless participant andthe residential wired participant, is enabled automatically to generateone or more billing indication that is personalized for such mobilewireless participant or residential wired participant for actual usageaccording to a programmable select set of participants programmed for acommon broadband service overlay, but not for selectively restrictedparticipants.
 4. Method of claim 3 wherein: the application comprises adigital television broadcast to mobile wireless and residential wiredparticipants.
 5. Virtual community method for multi-user network gamingsimulation and emulation comprising steps: simulating a multi-userapplication overlaid with electronically compressed and encoded digitalTV data stream by a mobile wireless participant and a residential wiredparticipant; and emulating a conference between the participants during,before or after the simulation; wherein the simulation comprises anetwork gaming simulation application wherein the mobile wirelessparticipant and the residential wired participant participate in thenetwork gaming simulation application during such conferencing, suchnetwork gaming simulation application comprising a luxury-suiteemulation accessible exclusively by the conferencing participants asvirtual audience for enabling intimate exclusive viewing in common of alive sports event or competitive telecast by such conferencingparticipants accessing virtually the luxury-suite emulation during suchnetwork gaming simulation application and conferencing; wherein acentral controller, which is coupled via the network to the mobilewireless participant and the residential wired participant, is enabledautomatically to generate one or more billing indication that ispersonalized for such mobile wireless participant or residential wiredparticipant for actual usage according to a programmable select set ofparticipants programmed for a common broadband service overlay, but notfor selectively restricted participants.
 6. Method of claim 5 wherein:the application comprises a digital television program comprising anincentive or advertisement targeted at an interest of at least oneparticipant.